Ilocos isn’t just scenic—it’s an adventure of cliffs, coastlines, and hidden gems waiting to be explored. Curious how I tackled it all? Read my blog!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated

October 3, 2022
Manila, Philippines

Date of Trip: October 01-02
Ilocos Region

Last August 2022, Ilocos region was devastated by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake which sustained damages to its tourist destinations and livelihoods of Ilocanos. But despite everything that happened, Ilocos and it’s people stood the test of time.

Ilocos region is packed with exciting activities, sumptuous local cuisines, beautifully preserved colonial architecture. It is made up of 4 provinces – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and La Union. I visited Ilocos Norte and Sur.

Ilocos Norte is the province in the Philippines situated in the northwestern corner in Luzon island. The capital of Ilocos Norte is Laoag which means “bright” or “light” in the native Ilocano language of Ilocos region, that’s why it is also called “The Sunshine City”.

Located in the southern part of Luzon, Ilocos Sur. Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur feels like reading the pages of your history book—every landmark you go to has a centuries-old story to tell. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the New7Wonders Cities and one of the best-preserved planned Spanish colonial town remaining in Asia today. Aside from its historical and architectural significance, a trip to Vigan is also packed with gastronomic expedition, I actually preferred Vigan empanada over Ilocos Norte.

Transportation

This was a very spontaneous trip that I joined a group of friends I just saw on Facebook. I was hesitant at first but what the hell, it’s still good to have your first time. We rode a private van, it took us 12 hours to travel to Ilocos Region by land from Manila.

Who can travel to Ilocos Region

Ilocos Region is accepting leisure travelers provided that they follow the standard health protocol. No medical certificates, S-pass, RT-PCR test or vaccination card to be presented to some establishments or checkpoints. But I suggest to always bring your vaccination card and for your protection, have yourself vaccinated.

Language

The locals speak Ilocano and English.

Accommodation

Rolds, the group’s leader, made reservations at Marites Homestay in Pagudpud for our stay. It is an air-conditioned room with a private toilet; however, the water was cold without a heater and there are four bunk beds. There were five women in the room. Initially, I did not like the homestay because the water was not pure, but I soon realized that this was because the water source was the ocean. The water became clearer after a few minutes of running, so that’s a positive sign. But what the heck, it’s still one of the experiences worth sharing, and I’m still so pleased I only spent one night there haha!

Best Time to Visit

Like the rest of the Philippines, Ilocos region has two seasons – rainy (May-Oct) and dry (Nov-Apr). Glad that it did not rain when we visited Ilocos.

Budget

My budget for this trip is Php4,000. Php1,999 for the travel group, transportation and accommodation. Php1,000 for food and Php1,000 pocket money. This was by far the cheapest travel I experienced, it’s well budgeted.

Day 1 September 30
Greenfield Shaw

I met up the group at 9:00pm and we waited until 11:00pm to depart since the group had to meet their other friends because if not it’s really a great loss for the business of the organizer. Glad this trip still push through with 12 of us in this trip.

We arrived in Laoag at around 8:30am and started our tour to maximize our day. This was my first time to just rest during the travel period and move to the destination right away.

Paoay Church

Paoay Church is a Roman Catholic church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte province, completed in 1710 after 2 decades of construction. The church is famous for an architecture that blends baroque, gothic, Chinese, and Javanese.

Its official name is the Saint Augustine Church. Already a declared National Cultural Treasure in 1973, Paoay Church was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 under the collective group “Baroque Churches of the Philippines”. its impressive pyramid-like structure characterized by its thick walls made from coral stones and bricks with 24 heavy buttresses placed on the church’s sides and back which serves as a strong foundation against natural disasters such as earthquakes. That is why the Paoay Church still remains strong for over three centuries now.

Onse Reef Sand Dunes
3 Bacsil, Norte, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
4×4 Ride Experience = Php550/each

One of the highlights of my trip would be riding a 4×4 across the dunes and feel the adrenaline rush as we made it through bumpy trails. For sandboarding, you will ride a board down smooth sandy slopes. This experience was super fun, I highly recommend it!

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Burgos, Ilocos Norte
Entrance Php10

This lighthouse is the Philippines’ highest elevated lighthouse that is still active and kept in the original structure dating back to the Spanish-Colonial period.  It is strategically located on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking Cape Bojeador in the West Philippine Sea, where ships of the galleon trade sailed by.

Malacanang of the North
Brgy. Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Entrance Fee Php10

This is a national park and museum in Paoay, Ilocos Norte province. Built in 1977 by the Philippine Tourism Authority, it was originally the official residence of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and family when visiting his home province. It was sequestered by the Philippine Government when they were removed Marcos from dictatorial power in 1986 by the People Power Revolution. However, twenty years after the management was given back to the care of Ilocos Norte. This was a really relaxing place over a lake, mansion and clean but will not go back just to see this again.

Bangui Windmills Farm
Bangui, Ilocos Norte
Entrance Free

After we went to Cape Bojeador, we passed by the Bangui Windmills Farm. It was so cool! I just experienced to see a sustainable form of tourism! With 26 turbines to date and counting, the Ilocos Region’s first and largest wind farm. I really love seeing these huge row of windmills dotted along a shoreline facing the West Philippine Sea. These windmills face the sea to capture the strong northwesterly and southwesterly winds blowing inward the Ilocos Norte.

Blue Lagoon
Pagudpud Ilocos, Norte

I had heard a lot about Pagudpud, particularly its white sand beaches, and I was very eager to visit. Blue Lagoon is one of Pagudpud’s many secluded shores. It is situated at Maira-ira point, the northernmost point of the Luzon mainland. The beach is composed of pristine sand. When we arrived, the waves were calm because it was a sunny day, but there were seaweeds (it’s presumably seaweed season), so I was quite disappointed; the beach was clean, but I wouldn’t travel 12 hours to see this. I believe Pagudpud’s private beaches are superior, so if I were to return, I would fly instead of travel by land. However, I believe there are far superior shores in the South.

At night we had social drinking with the rest of the travelers, it was really fun! I slept early because omg they were heavy drinkers haha but overall my day 1 was well spent!

Day2 October 02

I woke up at 7 in the morning, had breakfast and went to the beach to just get a glimpse. I did not swim, I could not swim I found the seaweeds really dirty. So I just felt the breeze and enjoyed the weather, it was a great morning. We left Pagudpud at 11 in the morning.

Bantay Abot Cave
Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi

This is one landmark we came across on our way to the famous Blue Lagoon of Pagudpud. It means a sea mountain with a hole.

The naturally sculpted hole was eroded by waves until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 1980’s. It’s great to see and unwind here, it’s relaxing

Patapat Viaduct
Pagudpud, Philippines

This is a 1.3 km long coastal bridge and the fourth longest bridge in the country, this winding bridge is said to be the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

Kapurpurawan White Rock Formations
Burgos, Ilocos Norte

The Kapurpurawan rock formation is known for its creamy white and streamlined limestone formations, which have been sculpted by different oceanic and weather forces. It is about 3 kilometers from the main highway, so you need to walk along a road that is ragged or only to go horseback riding to see it up close. I actually like the experience here, such a nice backdrop with a cooling weather.

Vigan Ilocos, Sur
7:00pm Manila time

We reached our final destination at 7:00pm at Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Although it’s only 500 meters long, Calle Crisologo in Vigan is one of the most beautiful streets in the Philippines for me. It has centuries-old stone houses, lovely tungsten lamps, and antique cobblestone, where horse-drawn carriages or calesas are used for transport until this day. The street is a pedestrian-only zone, save for calesas for touring the historic sites around town. It was a lovely view especially at night. It’s well organized and boasts a romantic vibe, it feels like being transported to a different era. This consists of about 200 beautifully restored houses dating back to the 16th century.

It took 10 years for Vigan to be named a World Heritage Site since it was submitted for consideration in 1989. It was long rejected for inclusion reportedly because it could not compare with Spanish-Colonial cities such as Colombia and Cuba.

Food Spots in Ilocos Region

The Ilocos region of the Philippines has one of the country’s strongest culinary traditions. I love exploring food whenever I go to other parts of the Philippines or the world.

Empanada -Irene’s Empanda
Amount: Php50

The name Empanada is derived from Spanish word meaning to wrap and coat in bread and this is the most popular street food in Ilocos Norte. I love this so much especially Irene’s Empanda in Vigan. A Spanish empanada is made out of a wheat flour crust and stuffed with a filling of meat, vegetables, cheese, or sauce. Ilocos empanada has a rice or galapong wrapper stuffed with shredded green papaya. They incorporated other recent innovations ingredients such as longganisa and egg to showcase the Ilocano taste. The empanadas of Ilocos is cooked deep-fried in oil. It’s sumptuous snack and highly recommend it!

There are two types of empanadas in Ilocos – Batac which has an orange tinge from asuete to make it looked like folded orange empanada while Vigan retained its natural color. Batac contains both mung bean sprouts green papaya and whole eggs; Vigan only uses green papaya and stuff theirs with yolk only.

Bagnet

Bagnet is a Filipino dish made out of pork belly deep fried till its really crispy. This is a well known dish in Ilocos. The meat is first boiled and then allowed to thoroughly dry overnight before frying to achieve its crispy texture.

Pinakbet

Pinakbet Tagalog is a Filipino vegetable dish. It is composed of a variety of vegetables from okra, eggplant, ittber melon,tomato, ginger, okra, lima beans, squash. Ilocos uses fermented fish in the dish to make it more flavorful. My version of pinakbet though, I use shrimp paste and I cook this by sautéing. But, the original Ilocano pinakbet use claypot, with water and seasonings.

Vigan Longganisa

Vigan longganisa is a Filipino sausage made of pork mince, spices and garlic. and is said to be an influence of the Mexican salami. The tradition of making this has existed since the period of the Spanish galleon trade. It is salty, tangy and garlicky to to taste. This is one of the many breakfast of Filipinos. We fry it with sunny side up eggs while we dip it in vinigar and served with fried rice. Yum! Photo not mine below, excerpt from Vigan Longganisa

Chichacorn or Chicharap

A popular pasalubong (giveaway) in Ilocos. Chichapop is a no-fry, microwaveable Chicharon. This snack is made of corn kernel and in garlic flavor, cheese or sweet corn flavor, a product proudly made in Ilocos. Chichapop is a ready to eat snack food. I love this and bought for my colleagues.

Overall, I love my experience in Ilocos region. I’d recommend this to friends just to get a glimpse of the corner of the Philippines. I met a lot of people and such a memorable experience.

Love,
Maria, sometimes Niskie